this will every once a while spark up. let's take a look at the ground shots. this owner says it's a plant that is used as a back up when it's in use, however, it feeds electricy to the >> there is nothing that would be vulnerable toechl mroegs there is no underground tanks we know of. there is nothing unusual in this area. >> now there are fire tracks cut out through the property. to protect the plan itself and

pipeline that feeds the power plant. so far we have seen the fire jump over the railroad tracks which is where the fire breaks but pipelines, we're told are not in jeopardy at this time. this plant is off line. it's burning well. a lot of grass and tule. a lot of times it can move underwater and then, pop out in sers so it's very difficult to get down there and fight with firefighters so that is why you're seeing the most of what they're doing right now. i'm allen wong, abc7 news >> great explanation. thank you the thick smoke can be seen a considers the east bay. abc7 news viewer ronnie brown

posted this photo saying there is ash falling from the sky. spencer christian is here with the latest. wind not too bad. >> not terribly bad they've picked up a little bit. winds growing stronger across the bay area. it's been the case here in the fire as well. so steady winds increased from what they are a couple hours ago. and it's not hot there, but it is dry. we can probably expect winds to grow stronger. we're getting a stronger push of wind trut throughout the bay area. that happens we get stronger winds in the area.

we'll have updated information later. >> thank you. >> we're going to keep watching the fire. and of course you know we do have allen wong on the ground >> we're learning about the 32-year-old's rampage that began yesterday morning when police say he killed a man ask set his home on fire. police said they have reason to believe he was behind the death of a 79-year-old man whose body was found by firefighters called out to a house fire yesterday. cheney was a perfect of interest when the black bpw car jacked was spotted in california. >> two police detectives were in

route at the time i was learned he had shot a sheriff. age 48. he sat in his car and a officer returned fire, killing cany >> the fallen sheriff's deputy grew up in napa. wayne freedman is live with that part of the story. wayne? >> he was a football star, and beloved from the time he was young, he had friends, still has friends here he knew years. today, fwil came to remember someone dear. >> he passed protecting and serving. >> he's one more friend of a favorite son of napa, became a

deputy sheriff who yesterday. >> from his cousin to his best friend's son... >> anything happened he would be the first to call and say i'm here for you. >> just so unassuming. then, all of a sudden you put him in the spotlight he was unbeatable. >> all spoke of a man until yesterday was a hiving legend a great guy. a football player. a wrestler who came within a win of the high school championship. a high school named him to the hall of fame. his name, and record still referred. >> you don't find people like that often. and he was just an amazing and

gentle kind, loving man. >> so the emotional hole in napa tonight. >> an hour at a time. >> class of 1983, the kid made good, who napa will always remember. >> and we're expressing our condolences to family and friends of the deputy on our face book page. you can share this badge to express your support and leave your thoughts for the family of the deputy at facebook.com slash abc7 news >> police looking for a driver of a white dodge durango who hit and killed a woman in a san francisco crosswalk this morning. investigators a both were heading eastbound on visitation avenue near bay shore boulevard around 11:00 a.m the woman just about to -- was across the road the donl suddenly just turned into the path.

police say the driver came back to take a look before speeding off. >> then, continuing up northbound bay shore to leland and made a u-turn. and drove southbound slowly driving by >> police say this is the sixth m san francisco this year, outpacing the homicide rate. >> another part of san francisco a driver stopped after hitting a pedestrian just before noon. police do believe the victim was in the crosswalk. >> oakland police department is turning to twitter after years of declining numbers on the force. we are live in oakland

they're using more traditional methods. it's aimed right at interstate 880 here. it's tens of thousands of cars that have passed through here, every day. >> we're hoping that more people will be interested in following us >> the oakland police department is looking to rebuild it's force through social media the banner on the side of opd's downtown points to twitter, face book and a web site all designed to catch the eye of would be officers. >> social media is a very powerful tool. we want to take advantage of the resources available to us. it's low cost. >> we'll use new phone april politics for crime prevention and tips. young people if you don't use smart phone april politics you're not going to reach them. >> oak mrnd laning two academies

each year. starting salary now $70,000 per year >> we're doing a very strong push to be r for recruiting. we have other support staff, crime lab. being work as a crime scene technician >> i saw the ad. >> this 28-year-old says he was attracted to opd through social media, has no worries about the reputation for crime. . >> i want to make a difference in the oakland community. there is a misconception of oakland that it's violent. but how far, i think oakland is very diverse community. >> before layoffs opd had 800 officers the number now is 615 >> more veterans will have a memorial in their honor a ground breaking took place

today. and is long overdue. >> ladies and gentlemen, please rise >> it's been a long time coming. eight # yearsing ayes a plan to build a mem wril for san francisco best. money and other priorities bot in the way. now, this design will rise on a courtyard of green. >> veterans have long been neglected very important part of the history. now we're going to have a monument to honor the veterans >> this side condition tans soil from the battlefields where americans have fought and died the world wars and vietnam. >> they're grash were yous to veterans now. we do everything we can for

warriors not the war. >> there are plans to add earth. >> first blood spilled was in grenada. last in iraq. this means a lot to me. >> the project will cost around $2.5 million paid with private funds. as you see in his picture he is a former marine. >> this is as much about the few fewer as the past. because it's a statement. that those who serve, we honor >> the hope is to have this completed in october. in san francisco, abc7 news. >> well, still to come here elaborate chain reaction caused

by california's west drought in history. >> what scientists are telling us is changing. >> i'm spencer christian. clouds continuing to stream into the sky. i'll let you know if moisture will hit the ground in the accu-weather forecast coming up in just a moment. >> in san francisco, california public school students about to take an assessment test. guess what? no paper. or pencil required. i'll tell you

n't. i want you to be kind.ff i want you to be smart. super smart. i want one thing in a doctor.tk to speak my language. i don't want you to look at the chart before you say hi...david. quiero que me hagas sentir segura. i want you to be aweso that's the doctor i want. at kaiser permanente, we want you to choose the doctor that's right for you. find your perfect match at kp.org and thrive.

rong suit. we get to the end of the day and i am toast. in fact, we've had toast for dinner. but tonight i nailed it. kfc family feast. 9 pieces any recipe, 3 large sides, 6 biscuits, $19.99. do not give up on dinner. ♪ more breaking news out of contra costa county now. sky 7 hd over highway 4 in

martinez. we can likely see the huge traffic mess here. there is a huge back up in the area. one man taken into custody. there is a stretcher here on the side of the road we haven't seen anyone brought out to that. no word on why authorities were pursuing this man we'll continue to follow this story and bring you latest on abc7 news. and on twitter on abc7 news bay area >> stay tuned for. that let's focus on the weather forecast continuing to be lovely. >> yes. >> and yes, it's spring today >> it's cooling down a bit. so on we go. we can see clouds continuing to

stream into the sky areas of moisture, verga is high in the air. you can see 22% under exceptional drought. this week the area expanded to 49% of the state. so very are very dry. there is that verga with moisture that is yet to hit the ground. a mild 71 in loss fwat yoes. western sky perfect our emeryville camera. temperatures mid-60s now. . 70 in fairfield. and a dramatic western

and warmer this weekend. a front passing through. high pressure still the dominant fee fewer. things getting cooler here. we'll start at 7:00 this evening. clouds continuing to move through as the onshore know builds and becomes stronger. and next week we may get rain on tuesday. by wednesday, this frontal system pushing through bringing us a chance of rain it will be a little bit of moisture. overnight partly to mostly

cloudy. temperatures low 40s in north bay valleys. around 50 near the bay. and tomorrow, partly cloudy conditions and cooler. mid to upper 60s to 68 in san jose. 67 in redwood city. o 70s in the north bay. east bay highs mid to upper monday, upper # 0s inland. mid-60s on the coast. cooling down, cloudy with chance of rain wednesday. the coolest day of the forecast period. high temperatures dropping into 60s >> very good. >> as you told us spring is here. we want to thank you for sending us beautiful weather photos.

you can post them on our face book page. >> nice shots. >> well, u.s. geological survey does research on earthquakes but they also study water. today, a roomful talked about the drought. what they're studying and what they have already learned. >> worst drought we have 1977. it's the same as 1977. >> is the second p a series of dry years is it climate change? probably not. it's a preview of what it could look like. >> we project that california

may get from 5 to 10 fewer wet days per year. >> ais a problem, they say because california gets water from big storms per year. >> if we lose a few fewure full of drought. >> any given year we've got to puf water across the telta. >> the water winds up watering farms, if the drys up, farmers have to dig deep wells, causing fields to sink. >> haf been dropping a foot per year. iet can change the landscape miles around. >> to affect a freeway. >> back up north, less fresh water bad news for fish exposed

from field run off. >> deform tis can result. with you make it very, very difficult to be able to swim >> salt marshes lose their ability to hold water >> one important function of marshes is in flood protection. so plant and soil act loik a sponge. >> good news, 1978 was a wet year. we can only hope. . >> i can't predict the future. i don't think you can, either. >> well just ahead a preview of a san francisco landmark getting a new makeover. >> taking you inside coit tower, when it will

san francisco police say this is the vehicle that hit and killed a woman in her 60s in this morning. police just released this surveillance photo that struck a woman. police say the driver did take a second look before speeding off. >> a lawyer was in a courtroom defending herself this week when the l.a. public defender monica

marie jenkins was denied entry on to a plane because she was too drunk. she began singing "rock around the clock", kicked on officer and tried to bite a nurse in jail. >> we're getting a sneak peek at the restoration project at coit tower that closed down in november for a much-needed make over today we got a glimpse ininside you can see artists working on the building. it's the most extensive since opening 80 years ago. >> that will be great. >> coming up, military imposter. people sucked in by a fake navy s.e.a.l. you're going to hear all of it. >> ahead thursday might the fight to save a school. why thousands of college students may be turned aby from campus. >> search for a missing malaysia

air jetliner. military freighters hoping to 0 in on the break through.

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find free, confidential, local help at coveredca.com. >> from pittsburgh fire crews have been battling this plays more than three hours. it burned about 25 acres of gas, brush and trees now, no structures are threatened. >> crews are dealing with high winds and intense flames you can see the thick smoke rising into the air. the smoke can be seen throughout the bay area. certainly widely in the east bay. pipeline and railroad tressels have caught fire, the pipelines come from the energy plant. there are also piles of railroad ties contributing to the smoke. >> helicopters have been brought

in to help fight this fire from the air. crew rz from several communities are on the scene now. we're told there is no danger to the area but crews will remain on the scene several more hours. and take a look at this map. you can see where the fire is burning near willow pass road and west 10th street. you can get news any time by following us on twitter. >> a small university that targets latinos and other students that may feel lost in larger schools is closing doors. national hispanic university broke the news to students today explaining it left students scrambling now. >> enrollment only 550. that may be why students feel at home here. >> this school made me feel like

i was home. >> this is video of the graduation. rass end mid year, 2015. one owner unable to get the department to reverse a ruling the program is no longer eligible for federal grants and loans. that impacted one fourth of the student body. >> we have hundreds of graduates that are leaders in the community now continuing to advocate for the importance of having educational opportunities available to anyone who chooses it. >> one graduate is david doyan honored two years ago. a major concern is whether credits earned can be transferred to other schools. some students say they've heard

they will not be. students whose credits who are actually students in upper divisions. whose credits aren't going to be transferrable. that plays a big part on who the services. >> i am going to turn over every stone i can to see what we can do about saving the school. >> sonoma county man accused of using a phony military background to convince people to invest in phony business. >> that is right. >> i've done many stories about fake navy s.e.a.l.s but this guy pretended to be that and more. several people believed the

stories and believe he had a special business deal with the pentagon that could make them big money. they gave him tens of thousands of dollars. you don't expect someone to spend that much time weaving lies together. who thinks like that? >> he's a predator. >> after talking to a victim i aked him down, see what happens when he calls the police. officer has a surprise for him. i asked prosecutors about what they'll do at 11:00. >> fascinating. thank you. >> well, searchers hope to reyum looking for possible wreckage. now it's daylight in that part of the world more bad weather and low visibility might complicate missions high-tech planes from the u.s. and new zealand are leading efforts that detected harj

debris in the ocean. >> issue is to find debris identified as aircraft. and then, work all of the current wind data backwards to predict where that airplane was. >> a cargo ship used search lights to look for signs of flight 370. >> coming up on seven on your side's michael finney, the tri of a 17-year-old girl stranded alone in an airport in china after the airline cancelled her ticket. >> stay with us.

a teen-age's girls first trip overseas without her parents was a dream come true but led to a scariest moment of in her life. >> when traveling there are many thing that can catch you

unaware. she was stranded because of a policy and some season travellers don't know about. this 17-year-old won't for get excitement of the first trip to china. >> i like traveling. and this time, without my parents. >> they went as part of a student exchange program. it was thrilling, until she tried to get back home. . >> i went to check in for my flight. >> jessica's friends got boarding passes, pu cathay pacif pacific said her seat was sold to someone else and the flight was full. >> the next flight home was two days away >> i was worried about where would i stay for two days? >> jessica watched her friends boarded the plane without her. >> i walked around with my

luggage. >> she stayed all night in the terminal. she knew a girl who was advise writing family in hong kong. >> i had her number and just prayed it would work. it did the girl agreed to help. she caught a train to hong kong. then called her mother. >> said mom i was alone at the airport the whole night >> and out $525 for that extra ticket. jessica's mom contacted kathay pacific. >> she was only 17 years old >> the airline said because jessica did not show up for a connecting flight. turns out the girls took a train into china. her mom says that shouldn't cancel the flight home she paid for the ticket she contacted seven on your side turns out the airline do indeed reserve the ticket f you're a no

show. it was here in the contract says if you do not show up for any flight without advising us in advance we may cancel your return or onward reservations still after we told the story, cathay pacific not only refunded the air fare, offered meals hotel tw two free tickets to hong kong. saying there is a policy reservations can be cancelled but there needs to be exceptions. we're investigating the situation and will work to update our approach. her mom is just happy she got home safely. >> very happy. just have her here. >> airlines say it's aimed at keeping planes full and if they do cancel you don't get your

money back. >> by the way that airline stepped up. i would have no problem. . >> i want to fly cathay pacific. well done. >> just ahead here a california public school student about to take a test never taken before. a trial run moving testing from pencils to computers >> we want to take a look now. breaking news in pitsberg. sky 7 hd over this grass fire at work here.

if yathing's hard. like know the feeling? copd includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis. spiriva is a once-daily inhaled copd maintenance treatment that helps open my obstructed airways for a full 24 hours. spiriva helps me breathe easier. spiriva handihaler tiotropium bromide inhalation powder does not replace fast-acting inhalers for sudden symptoms. tell your doctor if you have kidney problems, glaucoma, trouble urinating, or an enlarged prostate. these may worsen with spiriva. discuss all medicines you take, even eye drops. stop taking spiriva and seek immediate medical help if your breathing suddenly worsens, your throat or tongue swells, you get hives, vision changes or eye pain, or problems passing urine. other side effects include dry mouth and constipation. nothing can reverse copd.

spiriva helps me breathe better. does breathing with copd weigh you down? don't wait to ask your doctor about spiriva. next tuesday most california public school students will take an assessment test never taken before. >> image win a world where students take a paperless test to measure achievement. in california, that test will be

launched m a few days. these students have been doing practice runs ahead of the test. called smarter balance field test. >> i like it because >> others ask you to draw or write or fill in the blank. >> now it's two part. what is the best answer to this one. this year, the state will not hold schools accountable for how well a student performs. but it starts counting next year. this awill yous school districts

to make sure their network is fast enough and able to handle all students at the schools. think of it as a fire >> students will be saying whether they're able to navigate an item. >> i want to learn more about computers how to use them. >> still the same. certainly. >> parents may want to know more. you can get that information at the california department of education's web site. www.cdeca.gov. >> in high school, given only to 11th graders. >> good luck. >> let's check on the spring forecast. >> yes. spencer christian is back.

>> starting with live doppler 7 hd. spring is in the air. we can see here there is verga here in the clouds. to our south south of tomorrow, state wide look for a dry day. there could be spots of moisture in coastal california but inland areas dry, mild to warm tomorrow here in the bay area, we'll have a partly cloudy and cooler it's going to get warmer over the weekend highs upper 70s to near 80. doesn't look like major rain but it's rain. >> we'll take it. >> this is one of the most-fun

times of year in sports. >> yes. >> this we know it's going to go >> we love it. a win for ivy league today the first became of the day produced ourry first upset. sports is coming up next.

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good evening a billion dollars for a perfect tournament bracket, a lot of brak writs were busted in the first game of the day. coaches turning their lucky red ties for this one. 20 seconds left ohio state down one. aaron craft, the craft trying to go coast to

coast in traffic. another upset against harvard these guys are smart and dangerous ivy leaguers. harvard pulls off a win for the second year in a row facing michigan state next. two seed wisconsin facing 15th seeded american university. another upset appeared to be in the making. eagles up by eight, early. a run capped off by ben brust gives badgers the they'll face oregon moving on. cardinals preparing for their game tomorrow against new mexico tip off tomorrow morning at

1040. jason randall from illinois is expecting around 30 family and friends. and could not be more proud of him. >> i had a fantastic year for us. this is good for us. >> just happy to be here. excited to see. you know my family is so close. >> he agreed to a new deal

making him one of the highest paid in the league around $13 million. last thing 49ers want to see is the seahawks close to signing jared allen. one point presumed to be a done deal. allen is 12 in nfl history. seven sack seasons. 50 scouts on hand today, defensive end ben gardener impressive out there. best vertical jump of the day. he's a big man that runs fast. scary scene. look out reds pitcher hit by the line

drive off the bat of the royals hitter perez. chapman flush in the face. surgery to insert a metal mate suffered only a mild concussion. he may start again in only 6 to 8 weeks. abc7 sports brought to you by orchard supply, hardware. >> join me tonight at 9:00 covered california chaos. why some people trying to sign up are just hanging up. that is at 9:00 >> stolen valor, stolen money a man pretending to be a navy s.e.a.l. to get at your money. >> a few thoughts about what really matters credit where credit is due. tuesday at the whies house

president obama righted old wrongs awarding medal of honor to 24 army veterans from world war ii, korea ask vietnam. only three are still alive all throw attended. most of the men were passed over because they were black, jewish or like a bay area honoree, hispanic. army corporal joe baldonado saved his unit many of his comrades came back home from the war. not joe. he died there. serving a country that would not be willing to honor him until 64 years after his death, on the battlefields of a foreign land. his brother accepted on his behalf i wish joe could have been there. i wish he could have been there to see what became of the country he died to protect. to have had a medal placed around his neck by a man who not would have been honored if they served today now serving as the nation's first african american

president what matter sthaz we reach back into history with all that served with distinction but with discrimination. let me know what you think. >> thanks for joining us. that does it for this edition of abc7 news our coverage continues now on twitter on abc7 news bay area. we're keeping track of the fire in pittsburgh.

this is "jeopardy!" please welcome today's contestants --elce a book publicist from astoria, new york... a tutor and musician from san francisco, california... and our returning champion, an aerospace engineer from west chester, ohio... [ applause ] and now here is the host of "jeopardy!" -- thanks, johnny. thank you, ladies and gentlemen. you know, folks, this is turning into the kind of week i really enjoy -- contestants at the top of their game, performing well, and earning a lot of money as a result of that.

let's see if diane, brendan, and gabor can keep that trend going today. good luck. here we go. categories for this first round today are... hmm. you have to correct our wording. gabor. let's start with i am the danger for $200, please. diane. what is a slingshot? correct. presidential oath for $200. brendan. what is solemnly? correct. rewriting the presidential oath, $400. diane. what is execute? yes.